Over the last four years homeschooling has risen by 64 per cent in Powys, according to figures supplied through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
The FOI request was made by homeschooling provider Wolsey Hall Oxford.
In 2018, figures revealed that 154 children were homeschooled in Powys but by 2022 this had increased to 252.
In the last four years the number of families homeschooling Primary aged children has risen from 53 to 106, while Secondary age has risen from 101 to 146.
These figures show that homeschooling has become a more viable option for parents and their children. They reflect a similar picture seen across the UK, as statistics show that there are now more than 71,515 homeschoolers – up from 22,408 in 2013. Wolsey Hall Oxford has been collating this information from over 100 UK Councils through FOIs.
Wolsey Hall Oxford principal, Lee Wilcock, said: “Homeschooling allows children to learn at their own pace and at a time which suits them. It is a much more child-centred approach to education than is available in a traditional classroom. Families studying with Wolsey Hall Oxford cite many varied reasons for preferring this way of learning and we’ve certainly seen an increase across the UK.”
We’ve found that some of the most common reasons for parents to choose homeschooling include:
- Lack of progress or underachievement at mainstream schools
- Frustration with teaching standards in mainstream schools
- Concerns for their child’s safety/bullying
- Behavioural issues that are not suitably dealt with in mainstream schooling
- Medical reasons or learning difficulties that inhibit a child’s ability to learn in a conventional environment
- Travelling and expat families
- Gifted/higher learning potential students or those who are elite athletes/in the performing arts industry
It is also interesting to note that a well-being survey conducted by Wolsey Hall Oxford in September 2022 – and completed by 343 parents – concluded that 91.5 per cent of parents believe that their child’s well-being has improved since they opted to homeschool.
One parent noted: “My son has thrived. He is a true (gregarious) introvert... He loves being around people socially, but it tires him out, so school left him feeling drained, with no energy for true social interactions.
“Being able to learn alone and quietly has left him with plenty of energy for social and extra-curricular activities – scouts/young leaders, tennis, drama club, youth group etc. He has become confident in his own abilities and also learnt when and how he can take the initiative to get help when needed.”
To find out more about these statistics or to interview any of our team members, please contact Danielle Hilton: [email protected]